DIY Rustic Industrial Desk

DIY Rustic Industrial Desk

I originally thought I would make my desk using file cabinets and bookshelves, but then decided I would venture out and see if I could be inspired but some thrifty find instead. If you follow me on instagram you most likely saw this photo I posted a few weeks ago:

DIY Rustic Industrial Desk

I found the desk {or table} at a thrift store for $40! I was so excited because the hairpin legs alone were worth that. I snagged the table up right away and couldn’t get it out of the store fast enough. I should mention that I had visited 5 other thrift stores prior with no such luck {luckily they were all fairly close to one another}.

Eric and I knew we wanted to build a new top for the hairpin legs and then re-use the existing top {which is hollow on the inside} as a work table in the garage. We could have just added the new wood on top of the previous table top, but we knew we could find a better use for it.

I originally thought we could use the wood from a pallet {which my AWESOME sister-in-law gave me} for the new table top. However, after cutting it up we realized there wasn’t enough wood and I decided we should use it as a trim around the table instead.

I am proud to admit that I finally used the jigsaw for the first time and it was sooooo easy. Eric could have taken the pallet apart in strips but I was worried the nails would make it difficult to work on the desk, so we used the jigsaw to cut the sections out. Eric cut a few pieces of the pallet and then I did the rest.

I’m trying to slowly ease my way into using more of the “scarier” looking tools and I think the jig saw is a good starting point. Of course Eric really enjoys working with tools so I’m cool with just being the helper for now 🙂

Since the pallet wood wasn’t enough to cover the top we picked up 4 1×6 pieces of wood and mixed them in with a couple other pieces of wood we had on hand. We laid them out in the order I liked, knowing we wanted to make the desk a little longer than the previous top. Eric then measured and marked everything off so he could kreg jig the wood together and saw off the edges to make the wood flush.

I know I have mentioned it before but the Kreg Jig is seriously AMAZING! If you plan on building furniture {or anything really} I would highly recommend getting one. Plus it’s super easy to use.

After the top was built Eric added a couple extra pieces of wood underneath for added support and then attached the hairpin legs.

Then it was on to adding the pallet wood sides!

Pallet wood isn’t the most consistent so our pieces varied slightly in size, color, etc. but as far as I’m concerned that just adds character and creates a more rustic look.

We actually had to cut each pallet board down a little bit so that I could sit indian style in my office chair and still be comfortable without my knees hitting it. Yeah I have a problem with keeping my feet on the floor, but that could also be because I’m 5 ft tall and my feet don’t actually touch the floor… Sad I know.

Oh and I may have gotten a little impatient while Eric was cutting the boards, and went ahead and put on the first coat of vinegar/tea/coffee stain on top {which you can read more about here}.

Once the pallet wood was all cut we started to add it to the sides of the desk using our new super awesome nail gun, the Ryobi Airstrike. There were a few small gaps that Eric had to fill in so he custom cut some scrap pallet pieces and fit them in like a puzzle.

After the sides were on I flipped the table over and sanded down the edges to try to make them more flush with one another. this is a photo of the table upside down.

After I did a quick sanding of the rustic industrial desk I added a few more coats of the tea/vinegar/coffee stain and even added it to the pallet boards too. I hadn’t planned on doing that because I liked the blue/gray color of the wood but it just wasn’t looking cohesive enough.

After “staining” the wood I went over the pallet wood with a black wash {watered down black paint} to get the boards even darker so they would blend a little better with the top. Sorry but I didn’t get any photos of this part.

I also found some metal brackets I bought back when I wasn’t sure what size I would need for my pallet planked coffee table, and spray painted them black.

Here is a photo before I added the final coat of black spray paint:

Eric then drilled them into the corners, I added a coat of polycrylic to the top and sides and it was all done! Well, sorta. We actually need to drill a hole for my computer cords and whatnot but I wanted to use it and then decide where to drill the hole so we should get that done by this weekend.

So here is my new rustic industrial inspired desk! What do you think of our rustic industrial desk? I wanted a desk large enough for my computer but with extra space so I can work on things if need be. I LOVE how it turned out!

My {new} office is a work in progress so there is still so much to do, but I look forward to sharing the transformation with you!

Is a rustic industrial desk in your future? If so we would love to hear about it below.

44 Comments

I still can hardly get over the fact you got this (beginning) table at the thrift store! I can NEVER find amazing things like this at mine. And then you took the table to a whole new level of amazing. Wonderful job!!

I looooveee thissss and everything you do Katieeee. I have yet to find something awesome at a thrift store and I get terribly jealous when I see something like this. Such a gorgeous desk, and I can’t wait to see how the rest of your office turns out!

Awww thanks Alexis! I’m definitely excited to put together my own inspiring space to work in, although we still have a dining room filled with boxes that could use some unpacking, ha. Too many projects, not enough time…

Carole H

I love it and have been thinking about what kind of table I want in my craft room…this is it! I too love the Kreg jig and it is amazing for building furniture. We built a console table not to long ago and it was invaluable! Your table is awesome!

Thanks Carole! Yes, that kreg jig is crazy awesome! Now it seems like we really can build the furniture we want and I LOVE it! I’ve had my eye on an x console table via Ana White and just switching up the design a little bit to make it longer. Did you go off of a specific plan or site for yours?

Thanks so much for linking up at Thursday STYLE! I am obsessed with this desk, your triangle accent wall and Sharpie rug! What an awesome room you have assembled with these amazing projects! Love it! Have a wonderful weekend 🙂

I love this table! What a fun statement it makes in the dining room! My three friends and I created a lifestyle link party called Be.You.Tiful, where we focus on interior design, beauty, fashion, healthy living, and what inspired us! You’re the perfect match for the party and I love your creative content! You can link up here: http://www.frysauceandgrits.com/2014/03/beyoutiful-link-party-10.html

Hi Katie! I just wanted to let you know that you won the title of MEGA Rockstar from this week’s Creativity Unleashed over at The Bold Abode! Yay! I’m going to pin the mess out of your blog tonight!!! 🙂

Pingback: The Makers {link party no. 7}

Iana

I love this desk and all of your work. I am currently working on my office as well and want to work on the industrial railing you did. I can’t wait to go through all your other projects and maybe I will get more ideas for my office. I want to see how yours will turn out.

October 11, 2014 at 4:23 pm

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Hi there! I'm Katie and this is my husband Eric, and we're the faces behind Mountain Modern Life (formerly Upcycled Treasures), where we share our love for all things DIY, rustic-modern, and re-imagined. Our goal is to inspire YOU to create the environment you’ve always wanted, whether that’s through design, a certain lifestyle, or a combination of both. You can learn more about us here.

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